Participation of Kashmiris must to resolve J&K issue: Gilani

Islamabad (Agencies): Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani asked India to hold a "meaningful" dialogue with Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue, which he contended was at the centre of tensions in South Asia.

"I urge India to enter into a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue with Pakistan on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir," Gilani said in a message read out at a joint session of the legislative assembly and council of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in Muzaffarabad.

India's refusal to implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions has blocked the way to a durable peace in the region, contended Gilani, who was scheduled to address the joint session but had to cancel his visit to Muzaffarabad due to bad weather and poor visibility.

Gilani offered Pakistan's "unconditional willingness" to discuss all issues, including the issue of Kashmir, with India.

He said sincerity and seriousness should remain the basic fundamentals of the dialogue process and that the participation of Kashmiris is essential for any effort to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

Gilani also reiterated the pledge of the Pakistani people to "continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris in their just struggle for the right to self-determination".

Gilani's remarks came a day ahead of a scheduled meeting between the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan on the sidelines of a SAARC meet in Bhutan.

The top diplomats are expected to discuss ways to revive the stalled peace process between the two countries.

"The Kashmir dispute remains close to the heart of every Pakistani and the future of both Pakistan and Kashmir is linked," he added.

He said the alleged rights violations in Kashmir have been observed by the international community and noted by the world media.

"The Jammu and Kashmir issue remains an unfulfilled agenda of the United Nations," he said.

Gilani claimed the "struggle" in Jammu and Kashmir was the result of "human rights abuses perpetrated by the Indian security forces".

He added: "The peaceful indigenous and widespread uprising of the Kashmiri people has demonstrated that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be ignored".